Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act
Summary
The "Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act" aims to reinstate employees and programs at NOAA that were allegedly cut, with the goal of improving community preparedness and mitigation efforts related to extreme weather events. It mandates the Secretary of Commerce to fully staff NOAA, reinstate terminated employees, and continue programs supporting state and local extreme weather preparedness. The bill also allocates $6,756,300,000 to NOAA for fiscal year 2026.
Expected Effects
The Act would lead to increased staffing and funding for NOAA, potentially enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and disaster alerts. Reinstating programs like the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product could improve public access to crucial economic impact data. The bill intends to reverse perceived negative impacts of staffing and program cuts on public safety and environmental research.
Potential Benefits
- Improved accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts and disaster alerts.
- Reinstatement of critical programs like the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product.
- Enhanced support for state and local efforts to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.
- Increased staffing at NOAA, potentially leading to better environmental scientific research.
- Reinstatement of employees terminated from NOAA, providing them with job security.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased government spending, potentially contributing to the national debt.
- Potential for inefficient use of funds if programs are not managed effectively.
- Possible duplication of efforts if existing programs already address similar needs.
- Risk of political influence in staffing decisions, potentially affecting the quality of NOAA's work.
- The bill's effectiveness depends on the actual impact of the alleged staffing and program cuts, which may be overstated.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to protect citizens from climate-related disasters. Congress's power to appropriate funds (Article I, Section 8) supports the allocation of $6,756,300,000 to NOAA. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).